LOBBYISTS JUGGLE FOR VEEP SLOT AT NPP RALLY (SPREAD)

The rally by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Kasoa yesterday at which the party's flag bearer and parliamentary aspirants were officially introduced to the massive crowd also turned out to be a platform for running mate lobbyists intent on catching the right attention.
As early as 8.00 a.m., bus-loads of NPP supporters carrying placards and posters of the various running mate aspirants were seen heading towards the old market square at Kasoa, where the rally was held.
Most of the buses were decorated with pictures of the flag bearer of the party, alongside the various aspiring running mates, while some of the supporters held placards and touted the virtues of one aspirant or another.
The aspiring running mates whose posters and placards made the rounds at the rally grounds included Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula, Hajia Alima Mahama, Alhaji Abubakar Saddique Boniface and Sheikh I.C. Quaye.
While the foot soldiers of the running mate aspirants busily canvassed for their preferred candidates, the aspirants themselves were seen granting interviews to the media and explaining why they were more than qualified to partner Nana Akufo-Addo.
One common thing that ran through the messages of the aspirants was that they were the most capable to support their flag bearer, as they had demonstrated their commitment and rendered dedicated service to the party over the years.
Some of them also mounted the stage to address the crowd before the arrival of the convoy that brought President Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo to the rally grounds.
Hajia Mahama said the massive crowd at the rally was an indication that the people still had trust and confidence in the NPP as a political organisation that could continue the good work of President Kufuor.
She expressed the hope that the large crowd at the rally would be translated into votes to retain the NPP in government.
Alhaji Boniface said this year was for the NPP, saying that "whether the opposition parties like it or not, Ghanaians will vote for the NPP to move the country forward".
Sheikh Quaye, for his part, said the party was in the best position to deal with the socio-economic and political challenges confronting the country.
The rally, which was attended by all the 17 people who contested the NPP flagbearership race and elders of the party, saw each of them pledging their support to the flag bearer.
Mr Osafo-Maafo said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) destroyed the economy before handing over and that it was not fit to rule the country again.
He said it was as a result of the mismanagement of the economy that the country adopted the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and that a vote for the NDC would mean sending the country back to HIPC.
Mr Felix Owusu-Adjapong said Ghana's oil discovery could fetch the country between 500,000 and one million barrels a day when its production reached full capacity.
Others who spoke at the rally included Mr Alan Kyerematen, Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Mr Dan Botwe, Professor Mike Oquaye and Kwabena Agyapong.
The rest were Nana Ohene Ntow, John Boadu, Nana Ato Arthur, Mrs Gladys Asmah and Mr Ambrose Dery.